Cummins Rejects Allegations of Emissions Cheating with 6.7L Engine
Diesel engine manufacturer Cummins Inc. denied claims it intentionally programmed engines used in Dodge Ram heavy-duty pickup trucks to increase emissions levels beyond the regulated amount, as alleged in a lawsuit filed Nov. 14.
“The lawsuit has no merit,” Jon Mills, director of external communications at Cummins, told Transport Topics on Nov. 14. “Cummins is deeply disappointed in this effort to tarnish our image, and we will vigorously defend ourselves.”
Dodge truck owners sued Chrysler Nov. 14, claiming some engines were rigged to hide emissions as much as 14 times higher that the law permits, Bloomberg News reported.
The Michigan-based unit of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV is the first U.S. carmaker to be sued by consumers, according to Bloomberg.
Similar claims have been made against German carmakers. Volkswagen AG admitted that it installed devices designed to fool emission testing in 11 million cars worldwide in a scandal that may cost it $19.5 billion. Claims of rigging vehicles also have been made against Mercedes, which has denied the allegations, according to Bloomberg.
Cummins has partnered with Chrysler Corp., now FCA, for more than 30 years, Mills said. FCA did not respond to a request for comment.
Currently, Cummins’ 6.7L Turbo diesel engine is available in Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty pickup trucks. About 75% of all Ram 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty pickup owners choose the optional Cummins Turbo Diesel, the Columbus, Indiana-based company said. Also, the Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 chassis cabs models are also available with the 6.7L turbo diesel engine.
“We have robust certification and compliance processes in place and adhere to all emission regulations worldwide,” Mills said. “And we are transparent with all governing bodies and regulators in these processes ... to ensure our products deliver on our commitments to our customers and the environment in real world use every day,” Mills said.
He declined to speculate on the timing of the allegations.
“There is plenty of room for speculation, but we are going to refrain and stand by the point the lawsuit has no merit,” he said.
Mills said Nov. 15 neither the Environmental Protection Agency nor the Department of Justice had contacted Cummins with regard to the allegations in the lawsuit.
The companies are accused of fraud, false advertising and racketeering in the complaint, filed in Detroit federal court on behalf of the owners of almost 500,000 Dodge Ram trucks, Bloomberg said.
The case is Bledsoe v. FCA USA LLC, 16-cv-14024, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, Detroit.
